I watched the show. It struck me as odd (yet not entirely new either) that Bill Cosby said the only thing he regrets about the speech he made is that he thought he was talking to "his people." I am white. I can only assume I would be one of those not considered one of "[his] people." I have never used such a term as "my people." I don't own such a thought. I think of all US citizens as Americans. I think of all US citizens of Irish heritage - such as myself - as Americans. Similarly I think of all US citizens of African heritage as Americans. I think of all people as "God's people." Who are these "my people?" I have children in school who are very progressive, I think. They want to make changes in the world, serve in the Peace Corps, give time to Habitat for Humanity, save the environment, eat organically, stop AIDS, convert me to democrat, speak their minds and love all people. They regularly begin conversations in our house about discrimination. The conversation is always about how THEY feel they are discriminated against by African Americans. The "my people" comment sort of bolsters what they are saying. I thought my kids would be growing up where there are less race distinctions in our society than when I was a kid. What's going on? Why is all the blame on white people?

Hello Oprah:
My name is Annie Bauldwin, I live in a small town here in Illinois, the town is peoria, nothing never happens here. There is not any real importnat live here. I am a teacher's assintance. I am full of old vaules and I loved that show; Bill Cosby Calls Out The "Dirty Laundry". Oprah I am the mother of eight children, I tryed to instill good vaules in them some followed the rappers. I have six boys and two girls, I thank God that none of my children are dead or in pirson for killing someone. I know its God Grace not my goodness. Oprah I would like to have that tape of that show, I can't afford to buy it, could you donate a copy of it? I am trying to teach the young people, the ones I can still reach. I have very limited resources to work with,but I am trying to do something. I don't want to just stand by and watch the young people throw their lives away. "I am only one I can't do everything but I can do something".
Yours Turly
Annie Bauldwin

Well first of all I want to thank Oprah, bill cosby. and everybody else that made this discussion possible. I really believe at the end of the day we are all trying to survive. So once again Oprah has done some good works regardless of the criticism she might have had in the past. It all about the surviving.

Well lets get to the main reason why I am invovled in this issue or discussion we can blame the cause on racism,irresponsiblity.bad upbringing or social stereotypes etc. But how many of the afro American people have stood up to make a difference or a change well mlk made a change, Rosa parks made a change. I guess that is why we are where we are now. Well I guess td jakes was right when he said we should all reposition ourselves, think about our priority and try to make a difference in someone else's life rather than our family member. The other day I bought an ebony magazine going through the prestigious black colleges, the ratio of women to men where 7:1 that attended college, there is nothing to be ashamed of I know one of your daughters go that college. At the end of the day when they graduate and don't find a partner they marry Tyrone out of frustration who is barely making it and since he is so irresponsible and blames his fault on the society he does not want to do better they have a baby he beats on his wife and the domino effect continues. It is nobody fault we can all solve this problem.

I am not buying anybody's book because that wont solve the problem what if I cant read or write will I never understand how to change

I don't have a phd,ma,ed but what I do know if we don't support the afro people by close interaction trying to find a solution to their problem rather than blaming them I am sad to say their problem will persists. After all Bill Gates gives million of dollars of his money alone to solve critical problems and nobody talks about it, much props to Eddie long for donating money in Kenya and speaking of the election I hope obama wins even if the odds are against him. The other minorities all over the US have solved their problem and the afro people are still trying to figure out how to solve their problem when the answer is in their doorstep. I guess the fear of GOD is the beginning of wisdom well we are all perishing because we lack knowledge and intuition. I really don't understand I guess majority of the afro people might have a genetic defect such as autism where they have no perception for the sympathy, emotion , and their environment and that brings about irresponsibility I heard drugs like prolactin and ecstasy might be used in curing those disorders if indeed I am correct but sincerely speaking this is not rocket science or genetics or astrophysics or social issue its all about making an effort to save a generation that is being eliminated because of mass illiteracy and less reproduction. Well Dubois died in Ghana out of frustration, we as the afro people need to educate the minds of the lost and weary and maybe show them some sort of love and encouragement. Hey without love you can solve the entire problem in the world but at the end of the day you amount to nothing. Make a difference in someone else life and lets stop complaining an opinion is not a fact until is proven. Prove me right

ADIOS.

Once again thank you Oprah and much respect to bill cosby AND GOD bless America.

I hate to say that I do not have confidence in the schools teaching my children. They go against most things that I want to instill in my children...A lot of the teachers have an agenda to go against conservative parents.

If teaching your son/daughter right from wrong and to accept ALL cultures in the world is against your conservative values, then yes I as a teacher would be considered to have an agenda different from your values. If I tell a student that it is up to them to make responsible decisions, even if it is contrary to my own beliefs, then yes I as a teacher have a different agenda than you. If I as a teacher teach your daughter/son to think for themselves and to observe the world through a compassionate lens and not a singular lens then, yes I as a teacher have a different agenda than you.

Students, youth NEED varying viewpoints to be able to adept in this global 21st century world. Understand that I'm not saying to devalue home taught morals, just home taught ignorance and narrowmindness.

Right on, the virtues are who we really are. Thank you for reminding us of that!
Bill Cosby brought us Joy in the 70's with his records and they plum wore out. I do recall tears of joy running down our cheeks and that is one of the fondest memories I have growing up.
Joyfulness is a virtue and as a parent, I try to bring into my home every day.
Oprah, Bill and Virtues Lady; with your compassion, commitment and persistence we are learning, we are listening and we are changing.

Young people in these situations do not think about the future or a life past 30, or having to be responsible for a family one day. They do not know how to put the wheels in motion to do something better in their future, because noone has ever told them it could be done. They have dreams, but they are only dreams, not that they ever expect to actually attempt to do them. They don't have the financial resources and are around negatively influencing factors their whole lives. They have never been out of their neighborhood and don't have a sense of how big the world is and what can be done in it. If they are interested in a career of some sort, they have no clue how to start to go after that. Their parents aren't around or don't care and don't expect them to amount to anything, So with this in mind, this is what needs to be changed - to let them know and show them how and assist them to better their future. They are still babies in the real world and haven't a clue, they are only street smart. Under the right conditions, these street-smart kids would be wonderful leaders. But noone has ever told them they could or showed them the way, and it won't happen if you are waiting for their parents to tell them. This is what needs to be changed. They need guidance and assistance and someone to show them the way. They are unaware of any other life than what they have lived. So how could they know how to improve their future on their own, if they are unaware.

I think that this subject deserves much serious attention and I am not taking it lightly when I feel it needs to be mentioned that this book needs a very important comma in the title!!!! I was spellbound that two brilliant men and a publishing house did not realize that without the comma, the title is obscene:)

Well, well. I think I may be the only one offended with Mr. Cosby's pontifications regarding our children and constant criticizing of parenting in the United States. I respect Mr. Cosby's right to freedom of speech and of course, I respect Oprah. But, let's stop deifying celebrities as if they are experts in their fields. After all, Mr. Cosby is an actor/comedian and a man who sold pudding for many years. I'm sure he is extremely educated. I also know he has remained stony silent on the multitude of allegations against him presented by a variety of women. I will not detail the allegations but anyone who has a newspaper should be aware of them. Is he the moral compass that we should aspire to be like? At what point do we pull back and say, hey, I am doing the absolute BEST I can as a working mom or a stay at home mom or a mom who does both? Most of us are NOT celebrities who can afford nannies, cooks, trainers, etc. (Yes, you are hearing that refrain and yes, it has validity in the real world.) I do not judge other moms or dads EVER. We are all spinning our wheels trying to keep the family and ourselves afloat. And if you are lucky enough to afford help at home, more power to you--no judgement there. The point is, let's stop shaking our fingers at the parents of this country and put us all on the defensive. Yes, my 4 year old watches tv and plays playstation. He has sensory integration and sometimes that is the only thing that will calm him or stop the jumping or hand flapping. Sometimes he even has chips!!! Horrors! He loves the hell out of them and it makes him happy. He doesn't eat them all day. In fact, in my experience, if someone tells a child to not eat sweets, chips, etc. they will only horde them when you are in the bathroom.

Let's respect each other and help each other. This world is hard enough without enduring celebrity chastizing. I won't accept this attitude as an absolute truth because I know deep down we are all working for the betterment of our children's lives and we make mistakes and we all carry baggage. Let's stop judging each other and offer a helping hand or a kind word. Parents, we all make mistakes and that's okay. The majority of us are doing a kick ass job at raising our kids. Have a heart.

while I agree with a lot of what has been said - especially about celebritries (my opinion is that the majority of them are UNeducated, middle or lower class people who weren't able to do anything but act) I do believe that Bill Cosby is trying to make a difference. At least he is interested in education, and he not only possesses common sense, he uses it. And at least he cares enough to try to do something to help his race. As someone pointed out earlier in this forum, Bill Cosby has had some legal problems involving women, and it's not my place to judge him on that. But he has been an outstanding roll model as a father for other black men. From what I know, he has done an excellent job raising his children to be good citizens. If there were more like him and his co-author, perhaps the blacks in this country would not be in the bad shape they're in. Yes, there is still racism, but there are thousands of blacks who have been able to ignore that, carry on and make good lives for themselves and their families. Obviously, the opportunities are out there; scholarships are available to anyone who is willing to work for one. The world loves the underdog - someone who works hard enough to change his/her life through education. Those who do not take advantage of those opportunities have NO ONE to blame except themselves. There are people in this country who are angry because they have such a sense of entitlement and believe they are owed something simply because they have black skin. That is absurd! There are very few of us in the world who haven't had to work for everything we have; what makes them think they deserve anything different? Anyone - black, yellow, red or white - who goes around expecting to be given something for nothing ought to know that will make those who are working for what they have angry as hell. And why not?!?

Ok, do you know that Bill Cosby has a PhD in education from University of Mass? Do you think he is an entertainer on the level of 50 Cent who doesn't know anything - except how to get shot? Look. It is irrevelant that celebrities have or don't have higher degrees. What IS important, and what you and I don't have regardless of our degrees, is A FORUM TO SPEAK. So if you want to criticize George Clooney about his advocacy in Darfur, ask yourself, have you been on TV to speak to this issue? Have you testified before Congress? What about Angelina Jolie? The UN has given her their blessing to go into countries and advocate for peace, but she had the empathy and intelligence to read up on the issues and know her stuff BEFORE going into the countries. What about Bono (the lead singer for U2)? He is as intelligent as they come when it comes to debt relief in Africa and the AIDS crisis.

Why villify entertainers for being stupid and ignorant on one hand (hear me Brittney, Paris, et al) and then in the same stroke diss the ones who ARE doing good with their celebrity, money and platform? I don't hear you complaining that Ms. Winfrey doesn't have a higher degree? And what does she have? I believe she has a bunch of followers who look to her to be Saint Oprah and cure all. WE are the cure. We shouldn't complain that entertainers are putting spotlights on issues we should be taking care of in the streets.

As far as Dr. Cosby's past, he has owned up to it before and has moved on. Tell me ONE person who doesn't have a bone in their closet and I'll show you someone who hasn't been out of the house in 10 years or more. Each one teach one. I don't believe that celebrities "chastize" someone when they highlight issues, they are just putting a spotlight on issues. A chip, a PS2, yeah those are fine in moderation, their complaints is that we (as a community) are using those vices to RAISE our children alone. As a teacher, I can tell you first hand how I have to be the entertainer, mentor, father figure, prenatal care person, psychologist/counselor, older brother and maybe on a good day, teacher. Children come to class with so much that it is hard to ignore.

There are not simplistic answers to these complicated problems and we (all of us) sometimes forget that. Let's focus our energy on SOLUTIONS rather that what is in someone's closet (Dr. Cosby) or who is raising the issue.

Recently a radio/TV talk show personality in Chicago gave these statistics on HARPER HIGH SCHOOL in Chicago 2007. "97.2% FAILED, 3.8 % 11th grade passage rate". That was just one high school. There are many more that match these statistics.With such a high rate of failing students, it seems to me that the state board of education would step up to plate and do something. However we should also look at the grammer schools and middle schools who are passing failing students on to the next grade. But most importantly where are the parents/guardians of these failing students? Where are these students going to end up? Who's going to hire them? College is out of the question, and no one is attempting to reverse this situation as we speak. How many more generations of this kind of academic failure will go on?

I'm so glad that Bill Cosby is making public a very significant problem in the black community. But, it's not just a black problem, it's a problem for all communities that are impoverished. These communities need positive role modelsin the media, such as Bill Cosby, and in their communities such as parents, coaches, teachers and pastors. Parents need to get hope back, that they and their children can have better lives through hard work, education and good moral values (church). Once the parents choose to see that there is hope and seek community support (through schools, outreach programs and churches), the children will grow up to have a positive outlook on life and can imagine success, even if they are currently in difficult situations. We need hope, faith, love, hard work and education to change this.

I am aware of Mr. Cosby's degrees. So? He still has a responsibility to speak fairly, proportionately, and creatively regarding the issues he raises to rant about. After all, on Oprah, he has MILLIONS of people watching his every move and falling over his every word. He also has a responsibility to offer solutions to the problems he raises. Especially, since he possesses a doctorate and claims to have all the answers. Oprah advocates and utilitzes her money to help her "daughters" in South Africa in her school she built. Mr. Cosby has money and could offer a solution to all that complaining he is doing. After all, money talks; it gives platforms to talk and it creates solutions. Don't blame the average joe when we are out there spinning our wheels, working various jobs, abstaining from any notion of vacation, while the celebrities bask in multiple houses, hired help,etc...Jolie and Pitt were mentioned. If anyone remembers....Pitt and Anniston had a 20 million plus dollar home in California they were dumping after the divorce. Now, it's all good and fine to draw attention to New Orleans and try to build homes and buy a million dollar home in the French Quarter for themselves because Pitt and Jolie are so despairing over the victims of Hurricane Katrina. How bout selling that grossly gluttonous home in California and donating your share to those victims??? Clooney similarly has a very nice home in Italy and lots of dough. Put your money where your mouth is people. Yes, I criticize celebrities for abusing their platforms and feeding us crap. African American communities should not accept Mr. Cosby's finger wagging about their speech, development, and overall culture. Women should not accept Mr. Cosby's clear criticism of their parenting skills. Neither should men. He should direct his focus on his long-suffering wife.

Regarding skeletons and bones in people's closets: There were not one or two women who made allegations against Mr. Cosby. There were MANY. And the allegations had an eerie pattern that Mr. Cosby has NEVER addressed publicly. It is an aberration to women everywhere to accept Mr. Cosby's judgmental pontifications on life. No women deserves to be chastized by this man. No community needs to be put down by this man. Talk about racism within his own community! Oh, but he doesn't live in those communities of which he despises. Perhaps he has "moved on". But, the alleged victims haven't or they wouldn't keep resurfacing in the press. Be a man, Mr. Cosby and speak about the multitude of allegations made against you by the multitudes of women. Your silence speaks volumes and your loud rants do not distract from the moral core of your being. Maybe then you will begin to make sense.

Thanks Bill Cosby, now what?

It would be nice if all the people he speaks off woke up and got "it". Just from hearing his words of wisdom. However, that will not happen. The world does not work that way.
The choices people make are a direct connection to their soul. That is not something that can be fixed with accusations and in your face common sense.

The evil in the world is real and so is the good. People who care about themselves can then care for their own. Many children who become adults did not have that and can't become it as easily.

Hope? Yes, as a person who believes in miracles I hope that people who live in better communities....go to another community and help them.
THAT WILL BE A STRONG START. HELP ONE ANOTHER. GIVE TO THE BAD AREAS AND BE THERE FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE PARENTS THAT MAY NEVER GET IT.
THIS IS NOT A BLACK PROBLEM , IT IS A WHITE PROBLEM. PEOPLE WHO HAVE MORE ARE NOT SHARING...PERIOD.